Shemar Stewart’s Week 1 debut for Cincinnati came with 35 snaps and pressure on Cleveland’s Joe Flacco, but no counting stats yet. The Bengals kicked off with a 17–16 win that moved them to the AFC North lead, a promising sign after a year of scrutiny of their young defenders.

Cincinnati buried the Browns’ ground attack after a five-yard long carry on 24 tries, and Hayden Winks noted Cleveland’s run-game restraint as a standout achievement. The rookie linebackers and Stewart earned praise for staying calm, hinting at a growing rotation that fantasy managers should monitor.

For fantasy, Stewart’s early speed and pressure point toward a rising defensive role behind Burrow’s high-flying offense. If the rookie group maintains momentum, Cincinnati could unlock more tackle and pressure chances on a weekly basis.